Year-round sunshine and warm weather makes the Bahamas a beach vacation destination any time of year. The Bahamas are 29 self-governing islands in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Their close proximity to the East Coast of the U.S. enables quick weekend escapes or easy and affordable shoulder-season getaways. The best time of year for a vacation in the Bahamas depends upon whether you're looking for nice weather, lack of crowds or big festivals.

Weather

Weather in the Bahamas is fairly consistent. Average highs from December through May range from the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, and temperatures rarely drop below 60. Summer brings heat in the high 80s to 90s and humidity, but easterly trade winds keep the islands comfortable. There are about 320 days of sunshine every year, according to Lonely Planet, and February is traditionally the driest month.

Safety

The Bahamian hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Frommer's will tell you, "there is no cause to panic" because hurricanes here are fairly infrequent and satellite forecasts provide travelers with adequate warning. Bahamas Local, however, reports that a hurricane occurs about every three years with a major tropical storm every 12 years. Andros, Abaco and Grand Bahama are ranked in the top 10 places hit by tropical systems in the North Atlantic. From 1871 to 2009, Andros has been hit by a tropical storm or hurricane 57 times. The worst hurricane was in 1926 when 500 people died.

Peak Seasons

Peak season in the Bahamas runs from mid-December through mid-April when visitors flock to escape the cold weather and use their holiday vacation time. Frommer's recommends booking at least two to three months in advance if you expect to find accommodations during that period. Some hotels have no availability around Christmas or Valentine's Day. Another period of intense traffic is spring break, March through mid-April, when droves of college students are lured by the beaches and package deals exclusively for students. Sherman's Travel advises visiting in June, when there will be fewer visitors, less-crowded attractions and better rates.

Festivals

The Bahamas Junkanoo festivals traditionally take place on Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Independence Day. The Junkanoo street festivals rival those in New Orleans at Mardi Gras, with costumes, parades, floats, food, music, performers and fireworks. Look for smaller Junkanoos on various islands throughout the year. The Bahamas Guide promotes other annual events like the Bimini Big Game All Wahoo Fishing Tournament in November or the annual One Bahamas Music and Heritage Festival in March.

Discounts

Some people find great deals during the off-season, from mid-April to mid-December. During this time, midday temperatures rise up to 85 to 90 degrees, hotels undergo renovations and some outfitters close up shop for the season. The islands of Eleuthra and Exuma are virtually closed down in August and September. However, you'll also find significantly less traffic, meaning you won't need reservations at restaurants, you won't feel crowded on tours and you won't need to fight over the last room in a nice hotel. Hotels cut their rates by 20 percent to 60 percent to remain competitive. Frommer's says to visit in June for better prices, decent weather and fewer crowds.

Resources

About the Author

Jennn Fusion has been working as a professional writer for more than eight years. Her work has appeared online at USAToday.com, Chron.com, Business.com, Donklephant.com, BlogTO.com, Crawdaddy.com, MobileLifeToday.com and VicePresidents.com. She also has a variety of copy published on small business blogs and websites. Jennn holds a Bachelor of Journalism and English.